Amatola toad - Vandijkophrynus amatolicus
The life cycle of the Critically Endangered Amatola Toad - Vandijkophrynus amatolicus
The Amatola Toad - Vandijkophrynus amatolicus, a small amphibian endemic to the Amathole Mountain Range of the Eastern Cape province. The species is listed as Critically Endangered on the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red List, with the main threats to this toad being the transformation and fragmentation of the high altitude grasslands in which they occur.
Late last year I did a short trip to the Hogsback region, after some much needed heavy summer downpour. The last several years, I have attempted numerous unsuccessful trips to the region to look for this rare and largely unknown species. However, this time it finally paid off.
The middle of a small wetland in the high altitude grasslands, after some good friends and myself were looking for a variety of target species endemic to Amathole Region, I found a string of eggs and tadpoles of the Amatola Toad - Vandijkophrynus amatolicus. After five years looking for the species, this was a sigh of relief. However, I needed to see an adult.
As only one pool had eggs, and there being historical accounts of mass breeding, I decided my best chance was to return in a few day’s time when rainfall was expected again. Thus, 3 days later I found myself back in the car and on route from Makhanda to Hogsback.
After stopping for some breakfast in town I had arrived back at the site I had seen the eggs and tadpoles days before. I put on my gumboots, and almost immediately after reaching the site, I spotted an adult V. amatolicus next a clump of eggs.
One of Africa's rarest amphibians finally in front of me, it was a surreal feeling. I immediately pulled out my camera equipment and began photographing and filming. Different pools allowed me to capture the metamorphosis and life cycle of the toad. While the change in weather allowed me to film a short video on the species, something I had visualised many times, prior to this trip.
Check out my video and visit the profile below to see more images from this find.